Game



Jane 2o, 1944. U, FWZGERALD f 2,351,810

GAME

Filed Oct. 27', v19412 ATTRNEYS Patented `une 20, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME James J. Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application (lctober 27, 1942, Serial No. 463,509

4 Claims.

My invention relates to games, and has amongskillful manipulation of the device in order to place the balls in their proper positions.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a face View.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, I make use of a table I of flat and circular contour having a central depression I2'. Arranged crcumferentially of the table IIJ are pits I4 which are spaced one from the other by narrow bridges I6 arranged radially with respect to the axis of the table Il). The pits I4 are of identical contour and size, which is also true of the bridges I6. These bridges lie in the common plane of the table I0 and an annular floor I8.

The floor I8 is divided into a plurality of segments 20 each having a depression or stall 22 located in alignment with one of the bridges I6. Radial walls 24 separate the segments 20 one from the other, which walls are arranged radially with respect to the axis of the table IIJ and connect with an outer and annular wall 26. The inner ends of the walls 24 connect with Walls 28 arranged in spaced end to end relationship but curving concentrically of the axis of the table.

The pits I4 have angular walls 3l) and upright walls 32 constituting continuations of the walls 28. Two receptacles 34 are provided for housing a plurality of marbles or balls 36, there being one ball for each stall 22. The stalls 22 may be differently colored, and the balls 36 may be correspondingly colored to key the balls to the respective stalls.

In playing the game, the balls 36 are rst placed in one or both receptacles 34 and are played one at a time. The ball is I'lrst placed on a starting area 38 and is then rolled onto the table I0 through tilting of the device as a whole. Before reaching the table I0, it is necessary to roll the ball across the bridge I 6 aligned with the starting area 38, after which the ball is rolled into the stall 22 having the color or marking corresponding to that particular ball. 'Ihe pits I4 function as hazards into which the balls roll in the event that they are not carried accurately across the bridges I6. These bridges are relatively narrow so as to require a high degree of skill in manipulating the ball to its correct position on the bridge.

The walls 28 are suiciently high to prevent a ball dropping in one of the pits I4 from rolling onto floor segments I 8. The spacing between the walls 28 is just enough to pass the ball 36. The balls are properly placed when they are brought to rest in the stalls 22 and distributed to the stallsV in accordance with their color or marking scheme. The central depression I2 serves as a catch wherein the successive balls may be brought to rest preparatory to manipulating the device to send the successive balls in the directions of their intended stalls 22.

The game structure may, for example, represent a roundhouse wherein the marbles or balls represent locomotives colored or marked for distribution in predetermined stalls 22. However, the game structure need not represent a specific thing other than functioning as a medium through which the balls must be distributed to a plurality of predetermined locations through skillful manipulation of the device.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. A game of the type described comprising a at table for supporting free rolling game pieces, said table being of circular contour and having a centrally located depression, pits extending circumferentially about the perimeter of said table, stalls spaced circumferentially about said pits, bridges between said table and said stalls arranged radially with respect to said depression and separating said pits one from the other, and balls to be successively rolled onto said table and selectively into the respective stalls across said bridges.

2. The invention described in claim 1 wherein there is provided a ball starting area lying outside the perimeter of said table and connected therewith by one of said bridges.

3. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said stalls comprise flat surfaces lying in the plane of said table and each provided with a depression, with said bridges lying in the com-l mon plane of said surfaces and the table, and partitions on said surface to isolate said last mentioned depressions one from the other.

4. The invention described in claim 1 Wherein said pits lie beneath said table and are provided with upright rear walls extending above the table and angular walls extending from the bottoms of the pits up to the table.

JAMES J. FITZGERALD. 

